About the role#
This position is a one-year internship focused on the intersection of machine learning and neuroscience. You will analyze large-scale neural and behavioral recordings to understand how populations of neurons coordinate to control movement. You will work with existing datasets that include simultaneously recorded neural populations, motor output, muscle activity, and video. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to scientific results, potentially leading to conference presentations or publications.
What you'll do#
- Characterize how coordinated activity across two neural populations encodes forelimb force.
- Implement, fit, and evaluate machine learning and latent variable models.
- Benchmark your models against recently published alternatives.
- Relate neural population activity to behavioral variables using regression and classification methods.
- Extend analysis to electromyography and synchronized behavioral video.
- Produce documented, version-controlled Python analysis code.
- Communicate findings to mentoring scientists and the wider team.
- Contribute figures and methods text for posters and manuscripts.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a master’s or PhD program in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, or a related quantitative field.
- Completed coursework in programming, linear algebra, probability and statistics, and machine learning or signal processing.
- Demonstrated experience with scientific computing in Python, including numpy, scipy, and pandas.
- Coursework or project experience with linear regression, discrete classifiers, dimensionality reduction, and latent variable models.
- Experience with time series analysis, signal processing, scikit-learn, and deep learning frameworks like PyTorch.
- Experience with video-based pose estimation tools or biosignal analysis.
- Familiarity with software best practices, including version control.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- An interest in computational or systems neuroscience.
Location & details#
- The position is based in Seattle, Washington.
- This is a hybrid role requiring you to work onsite at least one day per week.
- The term is for one year, starting in late October or early November 2026.
- You must be able to commit to the full one-year duration.
- This is a paid position.
About Allen Institute
The Allen Institute is a nonprofit research organization based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2003, it employs between 501 and 1,000 people. The institute focuses on basic science, neuroscience, cell biology, and bioscience. It generates open resources for the scientific community to use in their own research.
How to get in at Allen Institute
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